Assists staff with evaluation of dogs for adoption; consultations for adopters and oversees animal socialization groups, play groups and pet enrichment activities.

Creates and implements individual training plans for dogs to increase adoptability; Keeps abreast of state of the art training protocols; training opportunities for staff to enhance staff effectiveness in working with animals.

Oversees staff and volunteer interaction with animals and ensures that correct handling procedures are being used.

Follows proper cleaning and sanitation procedures when working with animals.

Notifies animals care manager of any significant issues or observations.

Participates in weekly animal round table meetings.

Works under the direction of the animal care manager.
Illustrative Duties

Conducts professional-level work in functions or activities, such as training and similar functions;

Performs designated segments of projects or programs with well-defined objectives;

Assists with measuring and analyzing indicators of performance;

Compiles and provides business information to management;

Assists in implementing business improvements, such as changes to policies, work practices, processes and procedures;

Contributes to evaluation reports and presentations.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Basic knowledge of mission, goals and objectives of the organizational unit, program or activities to which incumbent is assigned;

Ability to identify possible solutions for solving business problems;

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;

Ability to use word processing and presentation software to prepare documents;

Ability to train, lead, and/or supervise paraprofessional staff.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in a business administration, public administration, statistics or field related to the assigned functional area such as human resources, budgeting and financial management, or contract administration and business management.

BRIDGE CLASS EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Four years of increasingly complex technical experience in the assigned functional area, comparable to experience at the Admin Assistant IV, or higher, level.

This class can serve as a bridge class enabling individuals who do not meet the educational or professional experience standards listed above to qualify for this class by possessing four years of increasingly complex technical experience in the assigned functional area, comparable to experience at the Admin Assistant IV, or higher, level.

The purpose of this bridge class is to promote upward mobility within the Fairfax County workforce. However persons qualifying for this class on the basis of their technical experience may not substitute this technical experience for education, or for professional experience, in order to qualify for other employment opportunities.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:Certification as a behaviorist or dog training certification.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:Positions in this class may be subject to criminal history records checks and/or credit checks as a condition of initial or continued employment. The appointee to this position will be required to satisfactorily complete a criminal background check. Certification as a behaviorist or dog training certification.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:Ability to move heavy, immobilized or resistant animals; ability to lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds. Must be able to bend, stand, stoop, crawl, walk, sit, talk, see and hear. Must be able to restrain and handle live animals of any size. Must have or obtain rabies pre-vaccination series. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Demonstrated success as an animal behaviorist or certified dog trainer.

Must possess the ability to work independently as a part of the management team.

Must be flexible and able to manage multiple tasks congruently.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:Interview panel. May include exercise.

It is the policy of Fairfax County Government to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.